Perfor & Vis Arts High School in Houston, Texas

“The atmosphere is so nurturing for the talented kids who are fortunate enough to attend. The academics are pre-college and the arts training is stellar. HSPVA is simply outstanding on so many levels”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school and wonderful students. It's a big family”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school that needs financial help. Great arts and academics.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“HSPVA is not only a professional arts school but an advanced academic school. Students are taught the business of the arts and prepares them for college by teaching them time management. HSPVA is more than a school, it's a family!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a blessing to the comunity...a center for nurturing all the best and the brightest, the most creative and positive young minds we have!”
This review was posted by a other.

“My eldest son attended HSPVA. The attitudes of the faculty were so empowering that his self image was boosted immensely. I am very grateful for the education he received there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I used to attend HSPVA. It wasn't the school for me, but it was a fantastic school for the arts. I was in the visual section, and we spent half of our day with fantastic art teachers, great contacts, and we received a great art education. However, I agree with some of the other reviews that core academics could deal with a great amount of improvement. I had a number of teachers who just wanted to talk about their personal philosophy rather than the subject. There really needs to be some sort of physical education program implemented. The students are all very friendly, and it's a great atmosphere.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am currently a 10th grader at hspva. The school has great people, excellent art areas, and a fantastic music department but the academic program is very poor. What this school maybe need in the future is a more organized staff. Also there should be a gym or physical education period to help keep all the students in shape but should count as a class.”
This review was posted by a student.

“There was a very high percentage of students who enrolled in summer school for failing Academics such as Algebra and IPC. Very low emphasis is placed on a child's overall Academics. Counselors and Office Personnel volunteer more time working on projects related to other activities and departments, rather than the overall child's best interest. Academic guidance for a child at this school is very poor and handled in an uncaring, and sometimes unprofessional manner. Many parents were expressing these same concerns throughout the year and this school needs to be investigated further by HISD Administration. Parents took students out for these reasons and I believe it hurts these children who are exceptionally gifted. Children also needs health and physical education. This school provided no summer school so children had to go elsewhere and pay $150.00 for each class. **No funding from HSPVA was transferred to the outside referring schools.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great education in the performing arts. Maybe the second or third best in the country”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I tried to find every reason NOT to send my kid to HSPVA. I was unable to find a reason not to send him - he graduated last week. The school is what it is because the teachers are amazing and the students are incredibly motivated to pass to stay eligible for their art area activites. Test scores are through the roof, the teachers LIKE artistic students, and the students encourage and support each other. We live 25 miles away; my kid rode Metro for 3 full years, and it was worth EVERY hassle and EVERY inconvenience.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I went to this school as a ballet student. The training was good but I still needed to suplement it with classes at Houston Ballet.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I attended this school as a vocal student. I feel that I am so well rounded and well trained because of the excellent education I received at this school. I am now a sophomore vocal performance major at the University of Houston and my success there is no doubt attributed to my excellent training at HSPVA. Not only are they serious about educating children in the fine arts, they are also equally serious about academics, requiring the students to maintain C averages to remain in the school. HSPVA students have some of the highest test scores in the state, and the music department has been awarded a Grammy award two years in a row for excellence. I consider it a wonderful experience, and I can't imagine a better school to attend. Its great!”
This review was posted by a former student.

“The school is good. Great people, students, teachers. The only thing I don't like is that there are not many extra carricular activities for me to do. The enormous amount of art area time we have is worth all that we do and is not wasted. I just wish there was more to do.”
This review was posted by a student.

“It's the best high school in Houston. Kids at this school spend 3 hours a day in various art areas. They also participate in clubs such as Students for Social Resposibilty. Also perform many shows. Yet, they still have exemplary test scores.”
This review was posted by a student.